Steynton wind turbine application turned down

COUNCILLORS were unanimous is turning down an application for a 78 metre wind turbine in Steynton.

The application from Infinite Renewables Limited came before members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, February 4.

It sought permission to build a 500kW wind turbine on agricultural land approximately 340 metres to the east of the farm complex at Barretts Hill.

Planning officers recommended that it be refused by reason of the turbine’s size and location, which the report said: “would have a significant adverse impact on the character and visual amenity of the area, in particular when considered in conjunction with other existing turbines in the area.”

Approximately 3.7 kilometres to the south of the site is the Wear Point wind farm development. This consists of four turbines, each measuring 100 metres high.

Addressing the committee, the applicant’s agent Mr Hughes said: “My client is a Welsh business which works with Welsh farmers to provide a cheap source of energy.

“We have worked proactively with planning officers on previous schemes, so why are officers so opposed to this proposal?"

He went on to accuse the planning officers of refusing the application on landscaping grounds when they are clearly not experts in the field.

The head of planning, Hywel Wyn Jones said he was highly disappointed by Mr Hughes’ comments.

He said: “These are very serious assertions. Landscape architects do not have a given right. If this application went to appeal, 99% per cent of the time the inspector would not be a planning expert.”

Councillor Stephen Joseph said: “The area has already reached saturation point with wind turbines. The people of Milford Haven are very robust, they live in an industrial town and they do not moan lightly. It would be a travesty if this application were to be approved.”

A motion to refuse the application was unanimously backed, and the application was therefore refused.